TWENTY-EIGHT

A gasp escaped her mouth the moment she saw the black water. She doesn't know what it was and she certainly doesn't want to find out. Perhaps Hades sensed her fear and he walked beside her. Their close distance makes her stomach flutter. She looked at him and realized he was looking at the water running below. Voices—muffled and chaotic—rang in her ears and it took her a while to realize that they came from the river down below.

"What's...what's that?" she asked. Although she's got a feeling that she's not going to like whatever answer he has, she needs to know.

"The river of sorrows," he answered.

"Is that metaphorical or...?"

Hades was silent for a moment and she could have sworn an emotion passed his face but before she could discern what it was, it was already gone.

"It consists of dead dreams, failures, disappointments, regret, and sorrow. When people die, they bring those with them. And it flows right here, somewhat sustaining this place. They're the ones making this river its c